Inside The Pinstripes

Aroldis Chapman Open to New Role in Yankees' Bullpen

Chapman endured some bumpy stretches last season, so the Yankees are hopeful to keep the left-hander fresh for the regular season.

Max Goodman

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TAMPA — Yankees manager Aaron Boone recently approached Aroldis Chapman about tweaking his role this season.

The hard-throwing left-hander will still hold the same title entering the 2022 regular season, but this closer will occasionally make appearances in the eighth inning.

Why? Boone explained that this tactic is designed to keep Chapman fresh over the course of a long season, a way to prevent the left-hander from unraveling into spurts of ineptitude as he did last summer.

There's no easy way to guarantee a consistent routine for any closer week to week during the season. This plan will allow Boone and the coaching staff to give Chapman in-game reps even during stretches where save situations are infrequent.

"They told me there's gonna be some situations there where I might get in the game in the eighth," Chapman said Friday through the team's interpreter after making his spring training debut against the Phillies at BayCare Ballpark. "At the end of the day, I'm here to pitch, right? Whatever works."

Chapman was an All-Star for the seventh time in his career a season ago, posting a 3.36 ERA across 61 appearances (56.1 innings pitched). His numbers would be even better if he didn't allow 14 of his 21 earned runs in a nine-game span from June 10 to July 4.

With relievers Jonathan Loáisiga and Chad Green also capable of recording key outs for this club in high-leverage situations late in ballgames, Chapman's shift is more feasible.

On Friday, Chapman pitched a scoreless fourth inning, striking out two batters while walking one. 

"Really good," catcher Kyle Higashioka said of Chapman's Grapefruit League debut. "Pounding the zone, throwing a ton of strikes. Looked really good."

The flamethrower averaged 96.8 mph on his heater, topping out at 97.8. Higashioka assured that the southpaw can "crank it up" to the next level once the regular season begins.

Speaking of which, Chapman said he only needs to make three or four spring training appearances in order to prepare himself for when games really count. That in mind, this year's abbreviated spring training schedule won't have any adverse affects on the closer's preparation for Opening Day.

"For me the offseason, I kind of have my routine and my workouts during the offseason," he said. "As you know, I usually get into games later into spring. So, for me, no issue at all with the shortness of spring training this year."

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Max Goodman
MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Yankees for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. Goodman has been on the Yankees beat for three seasons. He is also the publisher of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Jets site, Jets Country. Before starting Inside The Pinstripes, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. At school, Goodman was an anchor and reporter with NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. While at Northwestern, Goodman interned with MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman. You can connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.

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